v. 1 intr. (often foll. by on) keep oneself alive; be kept alive (subsists on vegetables). 2 intr. remain in being; exist. 3 intr. (foll. by in) be attributable to (its excellence subsists in its freshness). 4 tr. archaic provide sustenance for. subsistent adj.
[ L subsistere stand firm (as SUB-, sistere set, stand) ]